Metro

Nigeria: Terrorists hit Katstina villages in motor bikes, kill scores

Published

2 years ago

July 22, 2022

The Nigerian police and local representative have confirmed that at least 17 people including 5 police officers were killed in an attack by armed men in the Katsina state, North-west Nigeria.

According to the spokesperson of the local police, Gambo Isah, some 300 bandits riding bikes attacked a police station near the Gatakawa village, which is located in the Kankara district and killed 5 officers and about a dozen civilian.

“We lost 5 police officers […] they were battling to prevent the bandits from carrying an attack in the Gatakawa village”, Isah said.

A local source told newsmen that 4 villages were attacked at a total of 9 people were killed, 6 people from the Ruwan Goduya village died”, Musa Ado said.

“One person was killed in each of the 3 villages that were attacked, and there, the bandits stole cattle and other valuable belongings”, the source added.

Katstina state is the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari. The president in his recent Eid-el-Kabir festival home coming had his convoy attacked by bandits.

Terrorist activities have taken an upward trend in Nigeria since the deadly Boko Haram sect based in North-Eastern Nigeria, which is also active in Chad, Niger and northern Cameroon was founded in 2002.

The audacity of the attacks has grown in recent times. There have been attacks on an international airport, a train but an attack on a presidential convoy is a new height.

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

17 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.